A city known and loved all over the world, Venice is one of the most fascinating and evocative locations, with its bridges, calli, and palaces where festivals and ceremonies once took place. Every year it receives millions of tourists, some visit it quickly in half a day or so, others decide to spend a few days.
If you, too, want to indulge in an in-depth visit of the city, then you have to carefully consider where to stay, considering the presence of attractions, price, proximity to the station and much more. Venice is quite an expensive city, but with a few small adjustments you can find solutions to suit all budgets!
Here is a guide to where to sleep in Venice, with tips and info on the best neighbourhoods to stay in.
Useful tips: the best neighbourhoods to stay in
The municipal territory of Venice is divided into 6 main sestieri (districts) plus other localities such as Mestre (located on the mainland) and islands such as Murano, Burano, Torcello, Giudecca, etc.
In the lagoon part there are no streets but canals, including the famous Grand Canal, lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces. Getting around on foot therefore becomes an almost obligatory choice, except for the vaporetto, gondola and water taxi services.
Thebest Sestiere to stay in is San Marco, the most central district, but also the most expensive! A good alternative are the sestieri of Dorsoduro and San Polo, a stone's throw from San Marco and with more affordable prices, as well as being recommended to the younger ones for the nightlife. Cannaregio, on the other hand, is one of the most authentic areas!
The most distant sestieri are Santa Croce and Castello. Santa Croce is where the Santa Lucia railway station is located and Piazzale Roma, where all the buses arrive. Castello, on the other hand, is mainly a residential district, but ideal as a base if you have come to Venice to visit the Biennale.
Suggested areas tosave money: Castello, Dorsoduro, Santa Croce, Cannaregio
Suggested areas forfamilies with children: Castello, San Marco
Suggested areas foryoung people: San Polo, Cannaregio, Dorsoduro
Best accommodation: We have selected the best hotels, b&b's and hostels in Venice. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking
Venice zone guide
Venice isdivided into 6 sestieri (Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Marco, San Polo and Santa Croce), which are the main districts of the city, each with specific characteristics and peculiarities.
The most touristic are Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, Santa Croce and San Marco, because they are strategically located close to the main places of interest and ideal for getting around. In fact, in Santa Croce there is the central railway station, while from Cannaregio there are several excursions to discover Burano and Murano. San Polo, on the other hand, is suitable for young people, thanks to its many clubs, while Castello is a little further away and has fewer attractions.
If you want to enjoy the sea a bit, you might consider the Lido area, but definitely do not expect a nice clear sea. Moreover, here you will be a long way from the city, which you will always have to reach by ferry. It is certainly not among the recommended areas, but it is still an option.
Areas to avoid: in Venice there are no areas to avoid because they are infamous or dangerous; however, if you decide to stay on the mainland, in Mestre, avoid the industrial area and Marghera
Sestiere San Marco
The sestiere of San Marco is undoubtedly the most famous and also the most touristy, where you will find accommodation in a higher price range and luxurious, historic hotels, such as the Danieli. It is, however, the heart of Venice, with the most beautiful historical and architectural riches, the place where St Mark's Basilica with its bell tower, the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, La Fenice Theatre and much more can be found.
Served by several Vaporetto (water bus) stops, San Marco is one of the most expensive districts both in terms of accommodation and restaurants and shops, and is therefore recommended for those on a high budget and families with children who do not want to walk too far. Here, in fact, they will have everything at their fingertips. The negative note is that this sestiere is crowded with tourists from morning to night and the noise of the vaporetti is constant.
Average prices in the district range from around €60.00 for low-cost accommodation to €750.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Discover the sights in the neighbourhood: in the Sestiere San Marco you will find St Mark's Basilica with the Bell Tower, the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Fenice Theatre.
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
B&B in historical building, 10 min from St Mark's Square. Rooms with air conditioning, private bathroom, TV and telephone. Ideal for families and couples | |
Suitable for couples, families with children and groups of friends, 100 m from La Fenice, this flat has a view of St Mark's Bell Tower and the lagoon and offers air conditioning and free Wi-Fi | |
A luxurious hotel suitable for people seeking every comfort, it boasts marble interiors with sumptuous designer furniture. With a terrace overlooking the Grand Canal, spa and restaurant, it is located in the centre of San Marco | |
Between the Basilica and Rialto, the hotel offers flats furnished with wooden beams and kitchenettes suitable for those who prefer the comforts of home to a hotel |
Sestiere Cannaregio
In the northern part of the city, just a few minutes from Santa Lucia station, this is one of the districts where you can still breathe the authentic Venetian soul. In this sestiere you will find the Jewish Ghetto, the Ponte degli Scalzi, the Ponte delle Guglie and many shops and restaurants of all kinds.
Cannaregio is a quiet, residential area that we recommend to families, couples or groups of friends who want the convenience of the railway and the vaporetto, but are also looking for romantic corners and places to spend the evening. As far as accommodation is concerned, you will be spoilt for choice between budget and luxury accommodations.
Average prices in the district range from around €50.00 for low-cost accommodation to €450.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Discover the attractions in the district: in the Cannaregio district you will find the Jewish Ghetto, the Scalzi Bridge and the Guglie Bridge.
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Popular with couples, this b&b offers refurbished rooms with breakfast convenient to the Cà d'Oro and Rialto Bridge | |
In a 16th-century palace 500 metres from the station, this luxurious hotel offers rooms with every comfort and breakfast included. Suitable for couples and lovers of historic sites. | |
Elegant B&B with rooms equipped with private bathroom, air conditioning, flat-screen TV and fridge. With garden. Ideal for couples | |
Modern, fully equipped hostel with kitchen, common room and garden. Ideal for young people and groups of friends |
Sestiere Dorsoduro
This sestiere of Venice is the one that most encapsulates Venetian creativity and is considered the artists' quarter. Characterised by quiet calli, buildings that tell the city's history and art galleries, it is the area where the Accademia Gallery, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the marvellous Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute are located.
The alleys are full of wine bars, bars and small shops. It is frequented by young people, especially Campo Santa Margherita, a square full of places for aperitifs and after-dinner drinks. Moreover, although it is a short walk from San Marco, accommodation is cheaper than in other districts, so it is also suitable for low-cost travellers.
Average prices in the district range from around €40.00 for low-cost accommodation to €300.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Discover the sights in the neighbourhood: the Sestiere Dorsoduro is home to the Accademia Gallery, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the wonderful Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute.
Recommended Accommodation
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
This hostel near the Accademia offers double, triple and quadruple rooms with private bathroom. Suitable for friends, students, young people | |
Inside a historic palace this hotel with garden offers luxurious rooms furnished in Venetian style suitable for those seeking every comfort.some rooms also have a panoramic balcony | |
A 60 sqm flat, well furnished and equipped with a kitchen, it is perfect for families or a couple who prefer the comforts of home to the hotel | |
This guest house offers rooms with private bathroom and shared kitchen, 260 metres from the San Basilio vaporetto stop. |
Sestiere San Polo
This sestiere is known for the Rialto Bridge and the marvellous views of Venice's Grand Canal, a destination for gondola tours. It is also home to Carlo Goldoni's house-museum, the Ponte della Donna Onesta (full of legends), the Basilica dei Frari and Piazza Campo San Polo, full of bars and clubs where you can sip a coffee or an aperitif while sitting in the sun.
Moreover, thanks to the presence of the market, it is a lively district where locals meet for the famous 'cicchetti' in the area of the Erbaria canal and is therefore recommended for young people and in general for those seeking central accommodation and a bit of life. It is also a location not too far from the station (15 min walk). The offer of accommodation is quite varied and ranges from luxurious hotels to small pensions with medium-low prices, but there are also b&bs and holiday flats.
Average prices in the district range from around €55.00 for low-cost accommodation to €800.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Discover the attractions in the neighbourhood: the Sestiere San Polo is home to the Rialto Bridge, Carlo Goldoni's house museum, the Ponte della Donna Onesta, the Basilica dei Frari and Piazza Campo San Polo. Several Grand Canal tours depart from here.
Recommended Accommodation
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Beautiful flat with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and kitchen a few steps from Rialto equipped with every comfort and suitable for families and friends. | |
Quite cheap B&B with Venetian style rooms and shared bathrooms, conveniently located 10 min walk from the station and 10 min from Piazza San Marco | |
2 min from the Vaporetto stop and Rialto Market this hotel offers luxurious self-catering flats of different sizes suitable for couples and families | |
Very central B&B with panoramic terrace, shared lounge and private rooms with bathroom. An excellent and abundant breakfast is included in the price |
Sestiere Santa Croce
Although this sestiere does not offer any major attractions, except for the Gallery of Modern Art, the Museum of Palazzo Mocenigo and Campo San Giacomo square, it is ideal for those who want to stay in Venice but stay off the tourist track and at the same time want the convenience of reaching it by bus, car or train.
Santa Croce, in fact, is located north of San Polo and is the district where Piazzale Roma, which houses the bus terminal and the large car park, is located. It also includes the Santa Lucia railway station. Well connected to the centre by vaporetti (waterbuses), it has numerous accommodations with not excessive prices but at the same time hosts numerous restaurants, trattorias and bars where you can taste typical dishes while mingling with Venetians.
Average prices in the district range from around €50.00 for low-cost accommodation to €500.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Discover the sights in the neighbourhood: Sestiere Santa Croce is not exactly one of the richest in attractions, however it is home to the Gallery of Modern Art, the Museum of Palazzo Mocenigo and Campo San Giacomo square.
Recommended Accommodation
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Modern 3-star hotel with air-conditioned rooms equipped with flat-screen satellite TV and full bathroom. Ideal for couples and young people | |
100 sqm flat for up to 6 people. Full kitchen, terrace with city view. Ideal for families or groups of friends | |
This B&B offers well-furnished, modern and clean rooms with private bathroom and 24-hour reception, right in the centre of Santa Croce | |
Very luxurious hotel in a 16th-century palace, overlooking the Grand Canal, with elegant rooms and suites, a fine restaurant and a courtyard garden |
Sestiere Castello
In the easternmost part of Venice, this sestiere is one of the lesser-known and one of the largest in the city, characterised by wide boulevards, residential areas and parks where you can admire the lagoon and St Mark's. Here you will find the famous Arsenale, the naval museums and the world-famous Biennale.
In Castello there are several accommodations suitable for those looking for a more relaxed and genuine stay and more reasonable prices. On the other hand, however, it can be a bit inconvenient because it is about 25 min on foot and about 23 min by vaporetto from St Mark's Square. So it is not recommended if you are travelling to Venice for the first time, instead it is a good area if you are in Venice specifically to visit the Biennale.
Average prices in the neighbour hood range from around €50.00 for low cost accommodation to €560.00 for high budget solutions - compare the best accommodation on booking
Discover the attractions in the neighbourhood: the Sestiere Castello is home to the famous Arsenale, the naval museums and the world-famous Biennale. It also offers several parks from which to admire the lagoon and San Marco.
Recommended Accommodation
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
Modern flat with all comforts, 75 sqm and max 6 people, with city view. With heating and air conditioning. Ideal for families and groups | |
Private flat 10 min from San Marco has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and kitchen, perfect for families and groups of friends | |
50sqm flat with river and city views. Includes two bedrooms and a bathroom with shower | |
4-star hotel, very central location and rooms with attention to detail. Delicious and abundant breakfast. |
Countries near Venice where to stay
Since Venice has so much to offer and see, staying in its sestieri is the best choice to make, especially if you only have a few days to spare! The city is expensive, but as we have seen you can find solutions for all types of travellers and for every budget!
However, a good alternative solution is Mestre, the location on dry land closest to Venice (10 km/ 15 min). Here you can find various accommodations of all prices, suitable for even the lowest budgets, certainly much cheaper than those on the Lagoon. From Mestre you can also reach Venice by tram T1 or bus 4L to Piazzale Roma (20 min) or by Trenitalia's direct regional train from Venice-Mestre station to Venice-Santa Lucia (10 min) - Hotels and B&Bs from €40.00 per room
If you are in Venice on business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on Booking.com
